Photo by Sime Darby Property When I first learned about the Elmina Outdoor Sculpture Museum (EOSM), I was immediately intrigued. The idea of an “outdoor sculpture museum” isn’t new globally. Places like Gibbs Farm, Hakone Open-Air Museum, and Storm King Art Center have long established what such spaces can be. These parks range dramatically in scale, from as small as 17 acres to over 1,000. EOSM, at around 35 acres, sits somewhere in between. Modest in comparison, but undeniably ambitious within the Malaysian context. More importantly, it feels like a meaningful step toward connecting the general public with the art world. There has always been a lingering perception that art is exclusive, that you need to be “in the know” to belong. If you don’t understand the lingo, the references, or even the social codes, you risk feeling alienated or out of place. Whether or not this ...
Photo by Patty Brito Once the last day of the graduate show ends, that’s it. No more student label. No more safety net. You’re an artist now or at least, that’s what it says. I touched on this question recently " if you study fine art, must you become an artist? " But what happens after that… is a different story. For a small group, things start off quite well. Their works sell during the show. Red dots here and there. People start paying attention. It feels like maybe… okay, being an artist might actually work. But for most, that’s not the case. Some sell one or two works. Some sell sketches. While some don’t sell anything at all. And that’s already your first reality check. After that, everyone tries to step into this idea of “being an artist.” You graduate from fine art school, being an artist is the usual route, right? So, you set up a...